By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 27: The Sarawak government has approved a new 20-km road project to connect Temong-Tepoi-Sadir to Annah Rais in Serian Division.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg pointed out that the project, to be funded using alternative funding under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), is expected to start at the beginning of next year.
“The Public Works Department (JKR) has completed the design of the road.
“This is what Datuk Amar Michael Manyin (Jawong, the Tebedu incumbent) gives to the Serian people before he retires,” he said after launching the Sarawak Government Administrative Centre Serian Division today.
Earlier in his speech, Manyin, who is also Minister of Education, Science, and Technological Research, informed that the project is estimated to cost RM200 million with the components of work to include seven bridges.
“Once completed, it will cut short the travel time from Kuching to Tebedu by 30 to 50 minutes.
“This is the urgent thing which the people in Serian are ‘really hungry’ for,” he said.
Manyin, who announced his retirement from politics this week, also urged the State government to push start the development of the Serian new township, which has been in the works for quite some time but has yet to take off properly.
“We hope it would proceed soon because the people in Serian need a new township which will consist of 120 shop lots right next to this (government) Complex,” he added.
Manyin shared that many physical developments have transformed Serian and enhanced the socio-economic status, well-being, health, and education of the community in Serian.
Among the developments by the State government include the RM87 million Serian Conference Centre, Tebedu District Office (RM4.59 million), upgrading and improvement of Siburan Sub-District Office (RM1.3 million), and proposed upgrading works to existing road and recreational facilities for Serian new township (RM9.9 million).
Under the Federal government, the projects include the establishment of the Industrial Training Institute (RM250 million), Serian Health Clinic Type 3 (RM23.8 million), Siburan Health Clinic Type 3 (RM28.6 million), development and upgrading of the Pan Borneo Highway, and two flyovers near the hospital (RM35.8 million) and Petronas (RM37.4 million).
Assistant Minister of Transport Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan, State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, and Serian MP Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem were among those present. — DayakDaily
